project title: blackcurrants: refinement of the · competition or herbicide growth check delays...

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Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2017. All rights reserved Project title: Blackcurrants: Refinement of the screening of herbicides for safe use in recently planted cuttings. Project number: SF 154a Project leader: Mike Hutchinson Report: Final report – November 2016 Previous report: SF154 – November 2014 Key staff: John Keer (RAA Ltd.) Michael Rodger (RAA Ltd.) Location of project: Kington. Herefordshire. UK Industry Representative: Rob Saunders Date project commenced: 1 st March 2016 Date project completed (or expected completion date): November 2016

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Page 1: Project title: Blackcurrants: Refinement of the · competition or herbicide growth check delays attaining full cropping yield by 1 year. ... Trt-Eval Interval 23 DA-A 30 DA-A 57 DA-A

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2017. All rights reserved

Project title: Blackcurrants: Refinement of the

screening of herbicides for safe use in

recently planted cuttings.

Project number: SF 154a

Project leader: Mike Hutchinson

Report: Final report – November 2016

Previous report: SF154 – November 2014

Key staff: John Keer (RAA Ltd.)

Michael Rodger (RAA Ltd.)

Location of project: Kington. Herefordshire. UK

Industry Representative: Rob Saunders

Date project commenced: 1st March 2016

Date project completed

(or expected completion date):

November 2016

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Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2017. All rights reserved

DISCLAIMER

AHDB, operating through its HDC division seeks to ensure that the information contained

within this document is accurate at the time of printing. No warranty is given in respect

thereof and, to the maximum extent permitted by law the Agriculture and Horticulture

Development Board accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused

(including that caused by negligence) or suffered directly or indirectly in relation to

information and opinions contained in or omitted from this document.

Copyright, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2017. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (including by photocopy

or storage in any medium by electronic means) or any copy or adaptation stored, published

or distributed (by physical, electronic or other means) without the prior permission in writing

of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, other than by reproduction in an

unmodified form for the sole purpose of use as an information resource when the

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board or HDC is clearly acknowledged as the

source, or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act

1988. All rights reserved.

AHDB (logo) is a registered trademark of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development

Board.

HDC is a registered trademark of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, for

use by its HDC division.

All other trademarks, logos and brand names contained in this publication are the

trademarks of their respective holders. No rights are granted without the prior written

permission of the relevant owners.

[The results and conclusions in this report are based on an investigation conducted over a

one-year period. The conditions under which the experiments were carried out and the

results have been reported in detail and with accuracy. However, because of the biological

nature of the work it must be borne in mind that different circumstances and conditions

could produce different results. Therefore, care must be taken with interpretation of the

results, especially if they are used as the basis for commercial product recommendations.]

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Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2017. All rights reserved

AUTHENTICATION

We declare that this work was done under our supervision according to the procedures

described herein and that the report represents a true and accurate record of the results

obtained.

Dr. John Keer

Development Agronomist

Richard Austin Agriculture Limited

Signature ... .............................................. Date14th November 2016

[Name]

[Position]

[Organisation]

Signature ............................................................ Date ............................................

Report authorised by:

[Name]

[Position]

[Organisation]

Signature ............................................................ Date ............................................

[Name]

[Position]

[Organisation]

Signature ............................................................ Date ............................................

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Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2017. All rights reserved

CONTENTS

Grower Summary ...................................................................................................... 5

Headline.................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Background and expected deliverables .................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Summary of the project and main conclusions ....... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Financial benefits ..................................................................................................... 6

Action points for growers ........................................................................................ 6

Science Section ....................................................................................................... 7

Introduction ............................................................................................................. 7

Materials and methods ........................................................................................... 7

Results .................................................................................................................. 11

Discussion .............................................................................................................. 3

Conclusions ............................................................................................................ 3

Knowledge and Technology Transfer ..................................................................... 4

Glossary.................................................................................................................. 4

References ............................................................................................................. 4

Appendices ............................................................................................................. 5

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Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2017. All rights reserved

GROWER SUMMARY

Headline • Refinement of an earlier herbicide screen has shown a range of herbicides to be

suitable as potential replacements for Ronstar, to control annual weeds in newly

planted blackcurrant cuttings.

Background and expected deliverables The residual herbicide Ronstar (oxadiazon) has long been relied upon for weed

control in newly planted blackcurrant cuttings, but the approval has not been

maintained and it has already become difficult to obtain from distributors.

A previous herbicide screening trial showed products to offer variable levels of weed

control and crop safety. Some of the most efficacious herbicides also showed the

greatest levels of crop damage. This trial was designed to refine rates of the most

promising treatments and design tank-mixes with broad spectrum weed control

activity.

Summary of the project and main conclusions

A range of herbicides were applied to newly planted cuttings of blackcurrant (Ben

Vane). The crop safety and weed control efficacy provided by these herbicides was

assessed during the early growing season. Herbicide treatments were selected from

promising candidate herbicides, evaluated in the earlier herbicide weed screen (SF

154).

The weed species occurring in this trial were Poa annua (Annual meadow-grass),

Matricaria spp. (Mayweeds), Galium aparine (Cleavers) and Cirsium spp. (Thistles).

However, weed numbers were too low to provide the most robust herbicide efficacy

data.

Despite this and some waterlogging in areas of the trial, some promising data were

obtained on the safe use of herbicides in newly planted blackcurrants.

A band spray between plant rows of Nirvana (4.5l) in combination with Flexidor (2.0l)

sprayed over the plants, provided a safer option compared to when Nirvana (4.5l)

was applied as an overall spray (which was found to be too phytotoxic in blackcurrant

in previous experiments). The combination also gave good levels of weed control.

Artist (2.5kg) + Kerb (4.25l) and Devrinol (7.0l) + Kerb (4.25l) also provided good

control of most of the weed species present with a good level of crop safety.

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Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2017. All rights reserved

A range of other Nirvana containing tank-mixes showed only marginal crop safety

and variable weed control levels.

Financial benefits Blackcurrant plantations are estimated to be replaced at around 200 ha/pa. Financial

benefits potentially arise from reduced requirement for hand weeding, which may

cost £1,100/ha, and which may be reduced to virtually nothing through good

herbicidal weed control. Also improved establishment – a mature plantation will

produce around 7.5 tonnes/ha, valued at around £5,000, a figure which can quickly

be reduced by 10% due to poor establishment or weed competition. Often, weed

competition or herbicide growth check delays attaining full cropping yield by 1 year.

Action points for growers • This study provides further information and pointers for agronomists and growers

to adopt herbicide strategies which are suitable for their site, which, if

implemented, will make establishment of new plantations more reliable.

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Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2017. All rights reserved

SCIENCE SECTION

Introduction

A range of herbicides were applied to newly planted cuttings of blackcurrant

(Ben Vane). The crop safety and weed control efficacy provided by these herbicides

was assessed during the early growing season.

Materials and methods

EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS

Trial number: RAA 01-2016

Co-operator: James Wright

Whittern farms Limited

Next End, Lyonshall

Kington

Herefordshire HR5 3HZ

Site: Lyonshall

Kington. Herefordshire

Grid reference: SO352580

Soil type: Silt loam

Crop & Cultivar: Blackcurrant cuttings: variety Ben Vane

Planting Date: 03.03.2016

Field Preparation: Winter plough/press

Secondary cultivation

Hand plant

Previous treatments: Nil

Plot size: 3m X 8m

Design: Randomised complete block

X3 replication

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Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2017. All rights reserved

Table 1. Treatment List.

Treatment Rate / ha Timing

1 Untreated control

2 *Flexidor/ Nirvana 2.0l / 4.5l T1

3 Nirvana 1.125l T1

4 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 1.125l + 1.25kg + 4.25l T1

5 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 1.125l + 2.5kg + 4.25l T1

6 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 2.25l + 1.25kg + 4.25l T1

7 Artist + Kerb 2.5kg + 4.25l T1

8 Devrinol + Kerb 7.0l + 4.25l T1

*Flexidor applied as a 20cm wide band, centred on crop row and Nirvana applied to

remaining untreated soil.

T1 = Soon after planting – prior to weed emergence.

Table 2. Product List.

Product Name

Active ingredient

g/a.i.

Formulation

Artist flufenacet +

metribuzin

24% + 17.5% w/w WG

Devrinol napropamide 450g/l EC

Flexidor isoxaben 500g/l SC

Kerb propyzamide 400g/l EC

Nirvana pendimethalin +

imazamox

250g/l+16.7g/l SC

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APPLICATION DETAILS

Applicator: GS plot sprayer - air pressurised (Pulvexpur - 3m)

Nozzles: 015 F110 Lo Drift

Pressure: 3.2 bar

Speed: 1.0 m/s

Water Volume: 200 l/ha

T1 – “early post-planting”

Date: 14.03.2016 – 11 days after planting

Crop Stage: dormant cuttings

Leaf Moisture: dry

Soil Moisture (Surface): moist

Soil Moisture (Sub-surface):moist

Soil Condition: loose

Soil Tilth: small clods

Weather at application: Sunny

Air temperature (Deg. C): 12

Soil temperature (Deg. C): 7

Wind (kph): 2 – northeast

Cloud cover (%): 20

Comment: Good spraying conditions. Adverse weather conditions

delayed T1 application by one week.

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Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2017. All rights reserved

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The following assessments were carried out on the trial:

At application

Soil and climatic data were collected at application:

• T1 14.03.2016 dormant cutting

Crop Phytotoxicity

Crop damage symptoms including vigour reduction (assessed as % vigour reduction

compared to untreated control), chlorosis, necrosis and growth distortion were

assessed as follows:

• 23DAT 06.04.2016 bud break • 30DAT 13.04.2016 first fully unfolded leaf • 57DAT 10.05.2016 plants 15cm height • 123DAT 15.07.2016 plants 20cm height • 158DAT 19.08.2016 plants 45cm height (DAT – Days after treatment)

Weed control

Weed control was assessed as % weed biomass reduction compared with the

untreated control. Biomass reduction was recorded for each major weed species

present:

• 23DAT 06.04.2016 bud break • 30DAT 13.04.2016 first fully unfolded leaf • 57DAT 10.05.2016 plants 15cm height • 123DAT 15.07.2016 plants 20cm height • 158DAT 19.08.2016 plants 45cm height

Weed levels in the untreated control were recorded as % ground cover and number

of each weed species per square metre (mean of 4 X 0.33 sq. m quadrats per

untreated plot).

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Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2017. All rights reserved

Results

Crop Phytotoxicity – chlorosis, leaf malformation and vigour reduction. Table 3 – Crop phytotoxicity (% chlorosis) – 23DAT, 30DAT and 57DAT. Crop Code RIBNI RIBNI RIBNI

Crop Scientific Name Ribes nigrum Ribes nigrum Ribes nigrum Crop Name Blackcurrant Blackcurrant Blackcurrant

Crop Variety Ben Vane Ben Vane Ben Vane Rating Date Apr-6-2016 Apr-13-2016 May-10-2016 Rating Type PHYCHL PHYCHL PHYCHL Rating Unit % % %

Trt-Eval Interval 23 DA-A 30 DA-A 57 DA-A ARM Action Codes AA AL

Trt Treatment No. Name 1 Untreated 0.0 b 0.0 b 0.0 c

2 Flexidor/Nirvana 2.0l + 4.5l 5.0 a 9.3 a 4.0 a

3 Nirvana 1.125l 3.2 a 5.0 a 2.0 abc 4 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 4.4 a 8.1 a 2.0 abc

1.125l + 1.25kg + 4.25l 5 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 4.3 a 9.2 a 4.0 a

1.125l + 2.5kg + 4.25l

6 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 4.7 a 10.5 a 3.3 ab

2.25l +1.25kg + 4.25l

7 Artist + Kerb 2.5kg + 4.25l 3.6 a 6.3 a 2.0 abc

8 Devrinol + Kerb 7.0l 4.25l 2.6 a 5.0 a 1.3 bc

LSD P=.05 4.29t 0.31t 2.04 Standard Deviation 2.45t 0.18t 1.16 CV 24.45t 21.91t 49.93 Replicate F 0.340 0.370 0.123 Replicate Prob(F) 0.7177 0.6973 0.8854 Treatment F 8.896 11.312 4.211 Treatment Prob(F) 0.0003 0.0001 0.0107

Crop Code RIBNI, BCUR, Ribes nigrum, = US Rating Type PHYCHL = phytotoxicity - chlorosis Rating Unit % = percent ARM Action Codes AA = Automatic arcsine square root % transformation AL = Automatic log transformation of X+1 Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.05, Duncan's New MRT) t=Mean descriptions are reported in transformed data units, and are not de-transformed.

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Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2017. All rights reserved

Table 4 – Crop phytotoxicity (% leaf malformation) – 23DAT, 30DAT and 57DAT.

Crop Code RIBNI RIBNI RIBNI Crop Scientific Name Ribes nigrum Ribes nigrum Ribes nigrum

Crop Name Blackcurrant Blackcurrant Blackcurrant Crop Variety Ben Vane Ben Vane Ben Vane Rating Date Apr-6-2016 Apr-13-2016 May-10-2016 Rating Type PHYLMA PHYLMA PHYLMA Rating Unit % % %

Trt-Eval Interval 23 DA-A 30 DA-A 57 DA-A ARM Action Codes AL AA

Trt Treatment No. Name

1 Untreated 0.0 d 0.0 e 0.0 a

2 Flexidor/Nirvana 2.0l + 4.5l 5.9 c 12.3 cd 0.0 a

3 Nirvana 1.125l 6.3 c 10.9 cd 0.0 a

4 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 6.3 c 10.0 d 0.0 a

1.125l + 1.25kg + 4.25l

5 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 11.5 b 20.0 bc 0.0 a

1.125l + 2.5kg + 4.25l

6 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 13.1 b 24.9 b 0.0 a

2.25l +1.25kg + 4.25l

7 Artist + Kerb 2.5kg + 4.25l 22.9 a 45.0 a 0.0 a

8 Devrinol + Kerb 7.0l 4.25l 5.0 c 10.9 cd 0.0 a

LSD P=.05 0.18t 7.11t 0.00 Standard Deviation 0.10t 4.06t 0.00 CV 11.85t 18.45t 0.0 Replicate F 0.853 0.175 0.000 Replicate Prob(F) 0.4472 0.8413 1.0000 Treatment F 46.403 26.031 0.000 Treatment Prob(F) 0.0001 0.0001 1.0000

Pest Type W, Weed, G-BYRW7, G-WedStg = Weed or volunteer crop Crop Code RIBNI, BCUR, Ribes nigrum, = US Rating Type PHYLMA = phytotoxicity - leaf malformation Rating Unit % = percent ARM Action Codes AL = Automatic log transformation of X+1 AA = Automatic arcsine square root % transformation Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.05, Duncan's New MRT)

t=Mean descriptions are reported in transformed data units, and are not de-transformed.

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Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2017. All rights reserved

Table 5 – Crop phytotoxicity (% vigour reduction versus untreated) – 23DAT, 30DAT and 57DAT.

Crop Code RIBNI RIBNI RIBNI Crop Scientific Name Ribes nigrum Ribes nigrum Ribes nigrum

Crop Name Blackcurrant Blackcurrant Blackcurrant Crop Variety Ben Vane Ben Vane Ben Vane Rating Date Apr-6-2016 Apr-13-2016 May-10-2016 Rating Type VIGRED VIGRED VIGRED Rating Unit % % %

Trt-Eval Interval 23 DA-A 30 DA-A 57 DA-A ARM Action Codes AA Trt Treatment No. Name 1 Untreated 0.0 a 0.0 a 0.0 c

2 Flexidor/Nirvana 2.0l + 4.5l 0.0 a 0.0 a 6.0 ab

3 Nirvana 1.125l 0.0 a 0.0 a 3.3 b

4 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 0.0 a 0.0 a 5.0 ab

1.125l + 1.25kg + 4.25l

5 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 0.0 a 0.0 a 5.0 ab

1.125l + 2.5kg + 4.25l

6 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 0.0 a 0.0 a 7.7 a

2.25l +1.25kg + 4.25l

7 Artist + Kerb 2.5kg + 4.25l 0.0 a 0.0 a 0.0 c

8 Devrinol + Kerb 7.0l 4.25l 0.0 a 0.0 a 0.0 c

LSD P=.05 0.00t 0.00 2.65 Standard Deviation 0.00t 0.00 1.51

CV 0.0t 0.0 44.85 Replicate F 0.000 0.000 0.709

Replicate Prob(F) 1.0000 1.0000 0.5089 Treatment F 0.000 0.000 12.112

Treatment Prob(F) 1.0000 1.0000 0.0001

Crop Code RIBNI, BCUR, Ribes nigrum, = US Rating Type VIGRED = vigor reduction Rating Unit % = percent ARM Action Codes AA = Automatic arcsine square root % transformation Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.05, Duncan's New MRT) t=Mean descriptions are reported in transformed data units, and are not de-transformed.

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Weed levels in the untreated control. No weeds had emerged at the time of herbicide application – 14.03.2016 Table 6. Weed levels in untreated controls at - 10.05. 2016 (57DAT). Weed species Weeds / sq. m Weed size Matricaria spp. (Mayweeds) 7 6-8 true leaves Galium aparine (Cleavers) 3 6cm across Poa annua (Annual meadow-grass)

4 2-3 tillers

Cirsium spp.(Thistle) 4 5cm across Weed levels were generally low across the trial area. Higher levels of weed infestation are required to make more confident comparisons of herbicide efficacy. Weeds were slow to develop and only present in sufficient numbers to allow a first assessment on 10.05.2016.

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Weed control Table 7. Assessment of weed control as % weed biomass reduction versus untreated control – 10.05.2016 (57DAT).

Pest Code MATSS POAAN CIRSS GALAP Pest Scientific Name Matricaria

sp. Poa annua Cirsium sp. Galium aparine

Pest Name Mayweeds Annual Meadow-grass Thistle Cleavers

Crop Code RIBNI RIBNI RIBNI RIBNI Crop Scientific Name Ribes

nigrum Ribes nigrum Ribes nigrum Ribes nigrum

Crop Name Blackcurrant Blackcurrant Blackcurr

ant Blackcurrant Crop Variety Ben Vane Ben Vane Ben Vane Ben Vane Rating Date May-10-

2016 May-10-2016 May-10-2016 May-10-2016

Rating Type BIOMRE BIOMRE BIOMRE BIOMRE Rating Unit % % % %

Trt-Eval Interval 57 DA-A 57 DA-A 57 DA-A 57 DA-A ARM Action Codes Trt Treatment No. Name 1 Untreated 0.0 e 0.0 d 0.0 b 0.0 b

2 Flexidor/Nirvana 2.0l + 4.5l 96.7 a 98.3 a 96.7 a 100.0 a

3 Nirvana 1.125l 76.7 d 76.7 c 85.0 a 90.0 a

4 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 78.3 cd 85.0 bc 85.0 a 95.0 a

1.125l + 1.25kg + 4.25l

5 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 95.0 ab 100.0 a 95.0 a 100.0 a

1.125l + 2.5kg + 4.25l

6 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 93.3 ab 100.0 a 96.7 a 100.0 a

2.25l +1.25kg + 4.25l

7 Artist + Kerb 2.5kg + 4.25l 86.7 bc 90.0 ab 96.7 a 100.0 a

8 Devrinol + Kerb 7.0l 4.25l 100.0 a 98.3 a 98.3 a 100.0 a

LSD P=.05 8.52 10.04 12.84 12.33 Standard Deviation 4.86 5.73 7.33 7.04 CV 6.21 7.08 8.97 8.22 Replicate F 2.157 2.882 2.928 0.568 Replicate Prob(F) 0.1525 0.0895 0.0866 0.5794 Treatment F 136.151 104.249 62.404 73.270 Treatment Prob(F) 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001

Rating Type BIOMRE = biomas reduction Rating Unit % = percent Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.05, Duncan's New MRT)

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Table 8. Assessment of weed control as % weed biomass reduction versus untreated control – 15.07.2016 (123DAT).

Pest Code Pest Scientific Name

Pest Name Crop Code

BBCH Scale Crop Scientific Name

Crop Name Crop Variety Rating Date Rating Type Rating Unit

Trt-Eval Interval ARM Action Codes

MATCH Matricaria

chamomilla Scented

Mayweed RIBNI BCUR

Ribes nigrum Blackcurrant

Ben Vane Jul-15-2016

BIOMRE %

123 DA-A

POAAN Poa annua

Annual Meadow-

grass RIBNI BCUR

Ribes nigrum Blackcurrant

Ben Vane Jul-15-2016

BIOMRE %

123 DA-A AA

CIRSS Cirsium sp.

Thistle RIBNI BCUR

Ribes nigrum Blackcurrant

Ben Vane Jul-15-2016

BIOMRE %

123 DA-A

GALAP Galium aparine

Cleavers RIBNI BCUR

Ribes nigrum Blackcurrant

Ben Vane Jul-15-2016

BIOMRE %

123 DA-A ER1

Trt Treatment No. Name 1 Untreated 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

2 Flexidor/Nirvana 2.0l + 4.5l 80.0 20.0 80.0 90.0

3 Nirvana 1.125l 20.0 10.0 80.0 80.0 4 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0

1.125l + 1.25kg + 4.25l 5 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 60.0 70.0 70.0 100.0

1.125l + 2.5kg + 4.25l 6 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 25.0 30.0 45.0 100.0

2.25l +1.25kg + 4.25l

7 Artist + Kerb 2.5kg + 4.25l 15.0 60.0 65.0 100.0

8 Devrinol + Kerb 7.0l 4.25l 80.0 85.0 5.0 100.0

LSD P=.05 . . . . Standard Deviation . . . . CV . . . . Replicate F Replicate Prob(F) Treatment F Treatment Prob(F) Rating Type BIOMRE = biomas reduction Rating Unit % = percent ARM Action Codes AA = Automatic arcsine square root % transformation ER1 = Excluded replicate 1

Data in Table 8 have not been statistically analysed, because only data from the first replicate have been included.

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Table 9. Assessment of weed control as % weed biomass reduction versus untreated control – 19.08.2016 (158DAT).

Pest Code Pest Scientific Name

Pest Name Crop Code

BBCH Scale Crop Scientific Name

Crop Name Crop Variety Rating Date Rating Type Rating Unit

Trt-Eval Interval ARM Action Codes

MATCH Matricaria

chamomilla Scented

Mayweed RIBNI BCUR

Ribes nigrum Blackcurrant

Ben Vane Aug-19-2016

BIOMRE %

158 DA-A

POAAN Poa annua

Annual Meadow-grass

RIBNI BCUR

Ribes nigrum Blackcurrant

Ben Vane Aug-19-2016

BIOMRE %

158 DA-A

CIRSS Cirsium sp.

Thistle RIBNI BCUR

Ribes nigrum Blackcurrant

Ben Vane Aug-19-2016

BIOMRE %

158 DA-A

GALAP Galium aparine

Cleavers RIBNI BCUR

Ribes nigrum Blackcurrant

Ben Vane Aug-19-2016

BIOMRE %

158 DA-A ER1

Trt Treatment No. Name

1 Untreated 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

2 Flexidor/Nirvana 2.0l + 4.5l 75.0 20.0 80.0 90.0

3 Nirvana 1.125l 20.0 10.0 80.0 80.0 4 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0

1.125l + 1.25kg + 4.25l 5 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 60.0 70.0 70.0 100.0

1.125l + 2.5kg + 4.25l 6 Nirvana + Artist + Kerb 25.0 30.0 45.0 100.0

2.25l +1.25kg + 4.25l

7 Artist + Kerb 2.5kg + 4.25l 15.0 60.0 65.0 100.0

8 Devrinol + Kerb 7.0l 4.25l 80.0 85.0 5.0 100.0

LSD P=.05 . . . . Standard Deviation . . . . CV . . . . Replicate F Replicate Prob(F) Treatment F Treatment Prob(F)

Rating Type BIOMRE = biomas reduction Rating Unit % = percent ARM Action Codes ER1 = Excluded replicate 1 Data in Table 9 have not been statistically analysed, because only data from the first replicate have been included.

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Discussion The trial site was subject to severe waterlogging, especially during the latter part of May and into June. Therefore, assessments made after the middle of May, of both weed control and crop safety were compromised. Crop effects due to waterlogging were difficult to distinguish from possible damage from herbicide treatments. Similarly, waterlogging affected weed growth and therefore masked herbicide activity. In order to mitigate the problem of waterlogging, all assessments made after 10.05.2016 were confined to the first replicated block, which largely escaped water damage. However, this lack of replication prohibits statistical analysis, resulting in far less robust data from the later assessments. No crop vigour reduction was observed for any herbicide treatment, at the “bud break” and “first leaf fully unfolded” growth stages. Significant (P=0.05) levels of vigour reduction were observed 57DAT for some herbicides, although such levels should be regarded as commercially acceptable. Although crop vigour was largely unaffected by herbicides, levels of chlorosis and leaf malformation (leaf curling) were recorded. Leaf malformation was completely outgrown by the 57DAT assessment but chlorosis was observed throughout the season, albeit at commercially acceptable levels by 57DAT. Nirvana containing treatments showed the highest levels of crop effect but the lower rates employed here, compared to those used in the initial herbicide screen – SF 154, appear acceptably safe. Band spraying previously unsafe rates of Nirvana (4.5l) away from the cuttings, in combination with Flexidor applied over the rows, was a marginally safe treatment, though logically it should be avoided on sites where a waterlogging risk exists, due to the potential of imazamox to move in water. Artist (2.5kg) + Kerb (4.25l) and Devrinol (7.0l) + Kerb (4.25l) showed good levels of crop safety, though previous grower experience with the use of Devriol on one site prompts caution. Weed numbers per species were too low to make conclusive comparisons between the efficacies of herbicides. However, Flexidor/Nirvana band sprays gave good control of the broadleaf weed species present. All herbicides provided good levels of weed control, although some treatments were very species specific.

Conclusions The trial has shown the potential of banded sprays and tank mix options for the control of a range of weeds in newly planted blackcurrant cuttings. However, this work should be repeated for different soil types and seasons to build greater confidence in crop safety and efficacy.

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Knowledge and Technology Transfer N/A

Glossary N/A

References HDC Report SF 154. (2014) Blackcurrants: Screening herbicides for safe use in recently

planted cuttings.

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Appendices

Plates:

PLATE 1. UNTREATED CONTROL – 19.08.2016

PLATE 2. FLEXIDOR 2.0L / NIRVANA 4.5L BAND TREATMENT – 19.08.2016

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PLATE 3. NIRVANA 1.125L – 19.08.2016

PLATE 4. NIRVANA 1.125L + ARTIST 1.25KG + KERB 4.25L – 19.08.2016

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PLATE 5. NIRVANA 1.125L + ARTIST 2.5KG + KERB 4.25L – 19.08.2016

PLATE 6. NIRVANA 2.25L + ARTIST 1.25KG + KERB 4.25L – 19.08.2016

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PLATE 7. ARTIST 2.5KG + KERB 4.25L – 19.08.2016

PLATE 8. DEVRINOL 7.0L + KERB 4.25L – 19.08.2016

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PLATE 9. UNTREATED CONTROL IN BLOCK 2 SHOWING WATERLOGGING – 19.08.2016